Commission honors Jo Licata of Hilton San Francisco with Environmental Service Award

The Commission on the Environment presented its environmental service award to Jo (Joe) Licata of the Hilton San Francisco, recognizing more than three decades of sustainability work in hospitality and community partnerships.

Commissioner Wald introduced Licata’s record, noting she had led hotel sustainability efforts that redirected supplies otherwise headed to landfill to nonprofits and shelters, implemented energy‑efficiency and zero‑waste measures, and organized charitable events that paired hotel resources with community groups. Wald said Licata’s initiatives had helped give a second life to an estimated “nearly 500,000 tons of supplies, furniture and equipment” over the course of her work (presentation language).

Terry Lewis, Hilton general manager, and Sean (Department of the Environment) offered remarks praising Licata’s commitment to food‑recovery, donation programs and creative fundraisers. Licata, speaking from the hotel, said she treated the work as a "grace and favor" role and credited management support across successive general managers for enabling programs.

The Commission thanked Licata for her leadership and noted the award reflected long‑standing collaboration between hospitality and city environmental programs.